Up at 4am and out for a walk in the park Eddie recommended. It is fascinating... people doing Tai Chi & playing Badminton & walking & playing with their dogs. There are so many dogs but most of them walk off leash which is a little concerning to me with the massive & insane traffic... but the dogs seem to know to stay out of the streets.
It feels like we lost a day when we crossed over the International Date Line. Somehow I feel cheated of a day.
Eddie's family name is Gao which = tall which Eddie isn't!
"Bring your eyes wider" is what Eddie wants for us about China - what an interesting way to put it!
Today I experienced my 1st with the "porcelain hole in the floor" potty... that was freaky. Thank to Mimi (my wonderful Grandmother) I know how to squat... it's just the aim that is difficult! Freaky!
Bei = Capital
Jing = North
...therefore, Beijing is the Capital in the North.
Ming Wa = Brightness
Shi San = 13 (which is lucky and my lucky number, 14, is not lucky)
The Forbidden City was built to the Fung Shui specs meaning there is water to the front (south) and a hill, Coal Hill to the back (north).
Wow, what a day!
Tienanmen Square - it didn't seem as massive as I expected. I thought it should go on for miles. I suppose it was bigger in my mind and in history than it is in actual size. It was still very impressive. I wanted to see Mao's mausoleum but that wasn't on the itinerary and the line was really, really long. I did get to see his massive portrait hanging above the entrance to the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City - now this was massive. I can't imagine this whole complex was for the Emperor and his "family". It is huge and elaborate... anywhere else it would look tacky but somehow here in China it fits!
Peking Duck - is DELICIOUS and is for dinner!
Night Market - what a freak show of food! We saw everything imaginable on a stick! there were Starfish (Sorry Mary), Scorpions, Snakes, Seahorses and so much more. It was disgusting & fascinating at the same time. No one in our group was daring enough to venture anything more exotic than Coconut Milk with dry ice!
Communism/Socialism here is so very interesting. As Eddie says, "It is Socialism with Chinese influence"! Well stated!
There are may rules and very high taxes:
It feels like we lost a day when we crossed over the International Date Line. Somehow I feel cheated of a day.
Eddie's family name is Gao which = tall which Eddie isn't!
"Bring your eyes wider" is what Eddie wants for us about China - what an interesting way to put it!
Today I experienced my 1st with the "porcelain hole in the floor" potty... that was freaky. Thank to Mimi (my wonderful Grandmother) I know how to squat... it's just the aim that is difficult! Freaky!
Bei = Capital
Jing = North
...therefore, Beijing is the Capital in the North.
Ming Wa = Brightness
Shi San = 13 (which is lucky and my lucky number, 14, is not lucky)
The Forbidden City was built to the Fung Shui specs meaning there is water to the front (south) and a hill, Coal Hill to the back (north).
Wow, what a day!
Tienanmen Square - it didn't seem as massive as I expected. I thought it should go on for miles. I suppose it was bigger in my mind and in history than it is in actual size. It was still very impressive. I wanted to see Mao's mausoleum but that wasn't on the itinerary and the line was really, really long. I did get to see his massive portrait hanging above the entrance to the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City - now this was massive. I can't imagine this whole complex was for the Emperor and his "family". It is huge and elaborate... anywhere else it would look tacky but somehow here in China it fits!
Peking Duck - is DELICIOUS and is for dinner!
Night Market - what a freak show of food! We saw everything imaginable on a stick! there were Starfish (Sorry Mary), Scorpions, Snakes, Seahorses and so much more. It was disgusting & fascinating at the same time. No one in our group was daring enough to venture anything more exotic than Coconut Milk with dry ice!
Communism/Socialism here is so very interesting. As Eddie says, "It is Socialism with Chinese influence"! Well stated!
There are may rules and very high taxes:
- Only cars from Beijing are allowed to drive during rush hour.
- Everyone who drives in Beijing must take alternate transportation at least one day per week
- License plates are numbered so you know where a car is registered & on what days it is allowed to be driven
- For 5 years you must pay tax before buying a home (condo) in Beijing
- For 5 years you must pay tax before you are allowed into the car lottery and are allowed to purchase and drive a car
- Smoking Bans have been in effect since 1996 but: it is not enforced by the police, it is not enforced by restaurant owners, it is continually broken by patrons
- Only 20,000 people each year win the "lottery" and are allowed to purchase and drive cars
- There are stores for Gucci, Burberry, Coach, Bvlgari, etc...
Handwashing clothing for the 1st time in a very long time!
AC is my favorite thing ever. Today I'm thankful for:
- Air Conditioning
- Foods on Sticks
- Freedom
- Peking Duck
- Interesting People
- Clean Air (there must be some around here, somewhere)
Why can't I add images to my post????????? Grrrrrrr.
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